The dangerously high lake levels have prompted officials to open gates at the dam to avoid flooding.

Billy Birdwell with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the gates were opened around 2 a.m. Tuesday to ease the pressure of high water levels.

The opening of the gates allowed water to flow downstream at a rate 15 times higher than the normal summer rate.

The automated gauge that measures Lake Hartwell's level is located 10 miles west of Anderson.

As of noon Tuesday, water levels at Lake Hartwell measured 664.8 feet, according to the Corp.

Flood stage for Hartwell is 665 feet.

The lake was expected to continue to rise to near 665.3 feet by Friday morning, with additional increases possible in the following days, according to the NWS.

For the next several weeks, the Corps planned to release water from all three lakes in the upper Savannah River Basin until levels drop to normal levels for this time of year. Besides Lake Hartwell, the other lakes affected were Thurmond and Russell.

For Hartwell, the release will continue until the lake gets down to 660 feet, the Corp said.

"Our first concern is public safety," said Corps hydrologist Stan Simpson. "We activated our standard plans for reducing reservoir levels with controlled releases first through our generation turbines. When more rains came Monday night above Hartwell Lake we needed to increase our releases by passing water through the spillway gates – also part of our standard water management plans."

More than 3 inches of rain fell at the lake Monday night, according to the National Weather Service .

"We also must consider the possibility of additional rainfall that could hit our area as Tropical Storm Chantal approaches the East Coast," Simpson said. Flood risk reduction is a primary mission of the reservoirs.

Hartwell Flood Warning

Because of the release, the NWS's flood warning for Lake Hartwell continued Wednesday.

“Recent epic rainfall across the upper Savannah River Valley is expected to push the water level on Lake Hartwell close to record territory and above flood stage,” NWS forecasters said on the agency’s Facebook page.

“Water on Lake Hartwell has not been this high since April 8, 1964,” the statement continued.

“Back in late 2008, the water on Lake Hartwell was at a record low; nearly 28 feet lower than today’s level,” forecasters said.

The flood warning went into effect Tuesday afternoon until further notice, according to the NWS.

At flood stage, creeks that drain into the lake will be affected by backwater and docks or moored watercraft on the lake or along the banks of the lake will begin to flood, the NWS said.

If you encounter flooding, the NWS advises you not to attempt to cross bridges, dips or low-water crossings when, especially when water covers the roadway.

The NWS also advises you never try to cross a flowing stream, even a small one, on foot or in a vehicle.

Spillway Gate Tests

Despite the flood releases, a series of spillway gate tests previously scheduled for July 10 at Hartwell Dam and July 11 at Russell Dam and Thurmond Dam remain on schedule.

The tests will ensure the gates work properly and can be activated in the event of an emergency to protect the dam plus people and property downstream.

During the tests the spillway gates will be opened 1 to 2 feet to give safety experts the opportunity to evaluate the gates’ readiness.

These checks must be performed periodically in keeping with the Corps of Engineers’ Dam Safety Program. Savannah District officials said they chose this time to conduct the inspections because spring and summer rains filled each reservoir into the flood-storage area putting each above "full pool."

The tests begin at Hartwell Dam at 1 p.m. and will last until 3:30. The test at Russell Dam begins July 11 at 8:30 a.m. and will end at 11. The test at Thurmond Dam begins July 11 at 1:30 p.m. and will end at 4.

The public may observe the tests from designated viewing and parking areas at each location. Parking is limited at all locations.

At Hartwell Dam visitors can observe the test from the fishing pier below the dam on the Georgia-side of the river. Rangers will direct traffic. No parking, stopping or pedestrians will be allowed on the Highway 29 bridge..

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